Police say death of man on Aviation Blvd. a suicide

Police say a 35-year-old man took his own life by running in front of a large freight truck on Aviation Boulevard near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Friday, December 31st.

Los Angeles Police Department Pacific Division (LAPD) Detective Mike DePasquale said that, according to witnesses, the man was killed when he ran out in the middle of the street and was hit by the 18-wheel truck at about 6:10 p.m.

The incident occurred near a railroad overpass in the vicinity of Aviation Boulevard and 102nd Street, south of Century Boulevard.

A motorist saw the body on the street and called 9-1-1, DePasquale said.

LAX police were the first to arrive at the scene and the accident investigation was handled by LAPD Pacific and West Traffic Divisions.

Police had originally suspected a possible hit-and-run accident, but after speaking with eyewitnesses, determined that the incident was a suicide, DePasquale said.

After speaking with the man’s family members, police learned that the man had been “despondent” about something, he said.

The man, a Florida resident, also reportedly had an airplane ticket to leave the area Friday night, DePasquale said.

The truck did not stop after the accident, but no criminal charges will be filed, DePasquale said.

Police closed the section of Aviation Boulevard for two hours to clear the scene.